Choosing the Appropriate Flute Profile for Your Packaging
If you're creating personalized corrugated boxes, you'll need to choose the most suitable flute profile for your product. There are several profiles to select from, and it's important to understand their respective uses before making a final decision. To assist you with this, the specialists at Logipack Technology have prepared a brief guide outlining common flute sizes and their specific advantages. Continue reading to learn about flutes, as well as the various profiles that are available to you.
Understanding Flute
The wavy lines or arches adhered to one or more layers of linerboard are known as flutes, also called corrugation or corrugated medium. These flutes provide additional strength and support to the linerboard, enabling it to handle even the heaviest items. The flutes serve as a structural element and offer additional insulation layers, which enhances the puncture-resistance and crush-strength of your custom corrugated boxes.
Different flute profiles offer different benefits and are useful in various situations. There are five commonly used flute profiles, namely A, B, C, E, and F. Understanding the advantages of each flute profile can help you decide which one is suitable for your product.
A-Flute
With 32-38 flutes per foot, the A flute was the original type of flute designed and is also the thickest available option. It is known for providing excellent cushioning and vertical compression strength, making it a popular choice for protecting fragile products in various industries. However, the wide spacing between the flutes results in a less smooth surface, which may not be suitable for printing intricate designs.
B-Flute
With 44-52 flutes per foot, B-flute is thinner than A-flute and has a lower arch height. The higher flute count results in a stiffer, flatter surface that is ideal for die cutting and printing detailed designs. B-flute is known for its excellent puncture and crush resistance, making it a popular choice for packaging canned goods, beverage trays, and glass-to-glass packs. This flute profile is also commonly used for inner packaging, such as pads or dividers.
C-Flute
With 36-41 flutes per foot, C-flute is the second-thickest corrugated flute available and was designed as a versatile option. Its optimal crush resistance, stacking strength, and printing capabilities make it the most commonly used flute size for shipping boxes. C-flute is ideal for transporting various products such as glass items, dairy products, furniture, and more.
E-Flute
Despite having 74-98 flutes per foot and being thinner than other profiles, E-flute possesses impressive crush resistance and is easy to fold, with a smooth surface that makes it ideal for high-quality printing. As a result, E-flute has emerged as a more durable and eco-friendly substitute for folding cartons in the packaging of consumer goods. Nevertheless, E-flute is not the best option for shipping containers because it does not provide adequate puncture protection.
F-Flute
F-flute is also known as "micro-flute" and has 124-128 flutes per foot, making it half as thick as E-flute. Despite having fewer fibers in the material, F-flute is highly rigid and often used as an alternative to folding cartons. Because of its similarities to E-flute, it can sometimes be used interchangeably with it. F-flute finds its most common application in specialty packaging, small retail packaging, and clamshell packaging in the fast-food industry in the United States.
If you're uncertain about the ideal flute profile for your custom corrugated boxes, there's no need to worry. You can rely on the expertise of Logipack Technology's professionals, who are willing to listen to your packaging requirements and assist you in determining the appropriate flute size.
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